In the US: Clint Eastwood directs and stars in GRAN TORINO as a racist neighbour, which is something of a surprise box-office hit at #1... Anne Hathaway/Kate Hudson wedding rom-com BRIDE WARS is only slightly behind at #2 with $21m... horror THE UNBORN, starring Cloverfield's Odette Yustman as a woman being possessed by a spirit, does decent business at #3... and NOT EASILY BROKEN, a drama about a marriage in crisis following a car accident, limps in at a lowly #9...US TOP 10
(-) 1. Gran Torino $29.5m
(-) 2. Bride Wars $21.1m
(-) 3. The Unborn $19.8m
(1) 4. Marley & Me $11.4m
(3) 5. The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button $9.21m
(2) 6. Bedtime Stories $8.8m
(4) 7. Valkyrie $6.62m
(5) 8. Yes Man $6.03m
(-) 9. Not Easily Broken $5.31m
(6) 10. Seven Pounds $2.82m
In the UK: Four new films stacked up at the top of the chart this week; Paul Rudd/Seann William Scott comedy ROLE MODELS snares a sizeable audience to take #1.. Danny Boyle's Golden Globe-winning SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE does much better in the UK than in the US, taking a decent £1.8m at #2... wedding rom-com BRIDE WARS only just lags behind at #3... and Daniel Craig war drama DEFIANCE does very well to land #4...
UK TOP 10
(-) 1. Role Models £2.3m
(-) 2. Slumdog Millionaire £1.8m
(-) 3. Bride Wars £1.7m
(-) 4. Defiance £1.1m
(1) 5. Yes Man £1.03m
(2) 6. Bedtime Stories £815k
(4) 7. Australia £811k
(3) 8. Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa £777k
(5) 9. Twilight £770k
(7) 10. The Reader £578k
UK RELEASES THIS WEEK
Beverly Hills ChihuahuaAdventure comedy. A pampered L.A Chihuahua is lost in Mexico and struggles to find her way back home.
Director: Raja Gosnell Starring/Voices: Drew Barrymore, Piper Perabo, Andy Garcia, George Lopez, Cheech Marin, Edward James Olmos, Jamie Lee Curtis, Luis Guzman & Paul Rodriguez.
US Box Office: $94 million
Tomatometer: 40% (Rotten; based on 89 reviews) "Despite hitting some sweet notes, Beverly Hills Chihuahua is little more than disposable family entertainment."
My Bloody Valentine 3-DHorror. A man returns to his hometown on the 22nd anniversary of a Valentine's night massacre, and finds himself suspects of more murders...
Director: Patrick Lussier Starring: Jensen Ackles, Jaime King, Kerr Smith, Betsy Rue, Edi Gathegi & Tom Atkins
Tomatometer: 71% (Fresh; based on 21 reviews)
Seven PoundsDrama. An IRS agent with a secret embarks on an extraordinary journey of redemption by improving the lives of seven strangers.
Director: Gabriele Muccino Starring: Will Smith, Rosario Dawson, Woody Harrelson, Michael Ealy & Barry Pepper
US Box Office: $67 millions
Tomatometer: 27% (Rotten; based on 161 reviews) "Grim and morose, Seven Pounds is also undone by an illogical plot."
The WrestlerSports drama. A retired professional wrestler with health problems refuses to give up his passion.
Director: Darren Aronofsky Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Mark Margolis, Todd Barry, Wass Stevens & Judah Friedlander.
US Box Office: $3.1 million
Tomatometer: 98% (Fresh; based on 154 reviews) "Mickey Rourke gives a performance for the ages in The Wrestler, a richly affecting, heart-wrenching yet ultimately rewarding drama."
